“The things that we do today are not for us but for those that are yet to come, and they’ll be able to look back … and see that those women have really kept the things moving forward. And we plan to keep it going.” — Sally Vonner, United Women in Faith top executive
NEWS AND FEATURES
Women’s agency leader optimistic about future
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Sally Vonner, top executive of United Women in Faith, said the agency is prepared to help lead the church into the future despite the denomination’s current uncertainty. Vonner sat down with UM News to discuss the origins of the women’s agency; its continued role in equipping leaders and advocating for equality; and her vision for the agency’s ministry going forward.
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Michigan Conference
United Methodists champion mental health care
LANSING, Mich. — More than 200 Michigan United Methodists lobbied for better treatment for people with mental health issues during the Michigan Conference’s second advocacy day. Central United Methodist Church, across the street from the Capitol building, hosted the event, providing space for worship, planning meetings and other advocacy day activities. James Deaton has the story.
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New England Conference
Church medical program helps uninsured
WORCESTER, Mass. — About 30 years ago, as the Rev. Charles Barry Wood was leaving his physician’s office, he was asked if his church, Epworth United Methodist, would consider housing a free medical program for the uninsured. Without hesitating, he said yes. In the years since, hundreds of thousands of patients have been helped. Dr. Paul Hart, a physician, shares the story.
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East Ohio Conference
New leadership role for Malone
NORTH CANTON, Ohio — Bishop Tracy Smith Malone is set to become the president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops next month. She is the first female bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference and has pastored several congregations there. Aileen Delgado reports.
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United Methodist Communications
A fresh perspective on 1 Corinthians 13
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Often referred to as the “love chapter,” 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves. On a new episode of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, Laurin Allred, a United Methodist lay person from North Carolina, challenges Christians to read the chapter through a different lens.
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COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Digest commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.
Traditionalist caucus president speaks to criticism
THE WOODLANDS, Texas (UM News) — Traditionalist caucuses that encouraged churches to leave The United Methodist Church and join the Global Methodist Church have faced criticism for their plans to advocate on legislation at the United Methodist General Conference, which begins April 23 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Rev. Rob Renfroe is president of Good News, one of those caucuses. In a commentary, he says parts of The United Methodist Church have not had a fair chance to disaffiliate and need Good News' support in Charlotte.
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Say ‘no’ to disaffiliation petitions
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (UM News) — The Rev. Mark R. Holland urges General Conference delegates to oppose petitions that would create "uniform" exit paths for churches or conferences wanting to leave The United Methodist Church. Many churches left under the Book of Discipline’s Paragraph 2553, which has expired, and Holland argues that creating another “top-down” disaffiliation process would be a mistake. Holland leads the Mainstream UMC caucus.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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